It had been a long 52 years since the winner of the Coral-Eclipse (G1) at Sandown Park came from France, but Vadeni has ended a wait for another.
The Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby (G1) winner rallied strongly from last in the six-horse field and prevailed by a neck over hard-charging Mishriff after a fine ride from classy Christophe Soumillon. The victory gave his trainer, Jean-Claude Rouget, and his owner-breeder, the Aga Khan, a first win in the race.
Vadeni finished 1 ¼ miles in 2:05.20 on turf rated as good to firm while scoring his second successive Group 1 triumph following his French Derby win last month.
The field was led by Alenquer, before Native Trail took over two furlongs out. Soumillon delivered Vadeni perfectly on the stands side to hold off his rivals.
Mishriff returned to the track with a strong performance late in the day after a luckless trip and outfinished Native Trail, who was a further head behind. Lord North ran very well in fourth, with the other two rivals three lengths behind.
“In the last 100 meters he stumbled when I hit the front and I wasn't sure I was going to get it, he was a bit unbalanced,” Soumillon said of Vadeni. “In the last 50 yards he just kept going and he was remarkable, a superstar.”
The race caps a successful few weeks for the Belgian jockey, who rode Perfect Power to victory at Royal Ascot just three weeks ago.
A 3-year-old son of Coolmore sire Churchill out of the Monsun mare Vaderana, Vadeni is from family of Group 1 winners Vadawina, Vazira, and Valyra.
While the Aga Khan enjoyed a breakthrough in Coral-Eclipse, his father, Prince Aly Khan, won the race with Saint Crespin in 1959.
The last France-base horse to capture the Sandown fixture was Javelot in 1960.
Vadeni's connections will be heading back to France after a successful raid on British soil and may have the Juddmonte International (G1) in their sights at York next month.
The post ‘He Was Remarkable, A Superstar’: French Derby Winner Vadeni All Heart in Coral-Eclipse Victory appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
